FREE PRESCRIPTIONS IN SCOTLAND

That this House welcomes the passage of legislation which will result in prescriptions for all patients in Scotland being free from 1 April 2011; notes that the Scottish government has gradually reduced the cost of prescriptions since 2007 and in doing so has helped large numbers of patients, particularly those with long-term conditions and who require a number of prescription items; believes that abolition of these charges recognises the fact that during these difficult economic times, no person should see cost as a barrier to access toprescription medication; and welcomes this move towards restoring the NHS to its founding principles: healthcare that's free at the point of delivery and based on clinical need, not the ability to pay.